National League Previews

SATURDAY

FINN HARPS v BRAY WANDERERS, (Finn Park, 7.15)

Having continued their remarkable revival in Inchicore last weekend, Harps will be aiming to deal another blow to some European hopefuls by beating a Bray side that, while a powerful force on its own turf, doesn't tend to travel well.

Speak, who starred himself in last week's 4-1 win, is hoping to have Johnny Kenny and Niall Bonner back from injury for this evening's game and if he does the chances are that with Tom Mohan now suspended rather than injured, he will go with the same side that took the points at Richmond Park.

"The important thing now," he says, "is to keep it going. When I took over we were 11 points adrift of UCD and doing so well to close the gap, it would be criminal to throw away the chance we've earned for ourselves."

Bray will make a final decision on one or two players close to kick off but the expectation is that Jason Byrne and Stephen Fox will both be recovered from knocks to the head suffered in the Bohemians match while Maurice Farrell will be available again following a chest infection.

Wes Charles and Eddie Gormley, meanwhile, are both likely to be strong contenders for places in the starting line up after having been on the bench in Dalymount Park.

Last two seasons - 1999/00: Did not meet. 00/01: Harps 1 Wanderers 0, Wanderers 0 Harps 0.

Recent league form - Harps: DDWLW; Wanderers: DWWWL

Leading scorers - Harps: McHugh (seven); Wanderers: Tresson (11).

Betting - Home: 6/5, Draw: 12/5, Away: 7/4. Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

BOHEMIANS v ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC, (Dalymount Park, 7.0)

The win over Bray has revived their championship hopes slightly and certainly nobody at Bohemians is giving up the ghost but to most observers it does appear that the Dublin club is leading the fight for a UEFA cup spot rather than sitting pretty to leapfrog Shelbourne.

In any case, it is vital that they beat their rivals from across the city this evening as a second defeat by Pat Dolan's side within a matter of weeks would almost certainly kill off their remaining title hopes and leave them slap bang in a real scrap for second place.

Roddy Collins does at least have a full squad to choose from with Alex Nesovic and Kevin Hunt, both of whom were rested at the start of Tuesday's game for fear that they might pick up the booking that would have kept them out of the cup final, both in with strong chances of starting.

The visitors are in good shape too with Dolan again having a full panel available to him, although some of those who were centrally involved in last week's hammering by Harps or even the midweek draw with Rovers may wish their manager didn't have quite so many options.

Last two seasons - 1999/00: Bohemians 0 St Patrick's 0, St Patrick's 1 Bohemians 3, Bohemians 0 St Patrick's 1. 00/01: Bohemians 2 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 2 Bohemians 1.

Recent league form - Bohemians: LWLWW; St Patrick's: DWWLD.

Leading scorers - Bohemians: Crowe (21); St Patrick's: Kelly (12).

Betting - Home: 2/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/10. Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

SUNDAY

UCD v DERRY CITY, (Belfield, 3.15)

The students get to see how Harps have done before taking on Derry but regardless of what happens in Donegal they will know how important it is to beat a Derry side that is still without key players and which has only managed to take six points from their last six games.

Liam Coyle, Paul Hegarty and Gary Beckett all miss out on the trip to Dublin with Kevin Mahon resigned to the fact that, of the three, only Hegarty has even a slim chance of playing any part in the team's run in. The result is that the City boss will be selecting from the same panel that was just about good enough to beat a heavily depleted Kilkenny on Wednesday.

The hosts are likely to have Tony McDonnell back in the squad although it is not certain that he is entirely recovered from a dead leg, while Brian Mooney's appearance for the second half in Cork last week appears to have gone well and the midfielder might start tomorrow. Pat Jennings will again deputise in goal for the injured Barry Ryan.

Last two seasons - 1999/00: City 0 UCD 2, UCD 1 City 0, City 2 UCD 0. 00/01: UCD 0 City 1, City 0 UCD 0.

Recent league form - UCD: WDLLD; City: LLWLW.

Leading scorers - UCD: McDonnell (five); City: Doherty (six).

Betting - Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork)

SHAMROCK ROVERS v CORK CITY, (Morton Stadium, 3.15)

The home side have a couple of knocks to worry about ahead of Cork's visit, with Tony Grant having taken a bit of a battering against St Patrick's on Tuesday and Terry Palmer still struggling slightly with the groin strain he picked up in the cup defeat last weekend.

Billy Woods returns after a one match suspension, though, and is likely to go straight back in to Damien Richardson's side despite the manager expressing his satisfaction with the way the team bounced back from their semi-final loss.

City's main concern is James Mulligan, who has a tear in his hamstring. The striker is expected to face a fitness test today and possibly again tomorrow. Anthony Buckley is still troubled by an ankle injury but is expected to play.

Last two seasons - 1999/00: Rovers 1 Cork 3, Cork 2 Rovers 0, Rovers 1 Cork 2. 00/01: Rovers 4 Cork 1, Cork 1 Rovers 2.

Recent league form - Rovers: WDLDD; City: WWWWD.

Leading scorers - Rovers: Francis (13); City: Morley (eight).

Betting - Home: 6/5, Draw: 12/5, Away: 7/4.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).